Fresh Eyes
When we think we know someone at work—who they are, how they act, what they’ll do—we stop actually seeing them.
We freeze them in our minds:
She’s always like this.
He never follows through.
They don’t get it.
And just like that, the relationship hardens. The space between us gets smaller.
Even when the story we’ve written about them is a positive one, we’re still holding onto the past. And that past doesn’t leave much room for anything new to emerge.
Wonder and curiosity are the doorways to connection.
The Quicksand of Our Thinking
This morning, I set out for an early hike with a friend. We planned to meet at 7:30, but by 7:15, I realized I was running behind. I texted her that I’d meet her at the trailhead.
When I arrived, she wasn’t there. By 7:45, there was still no reply to my texts and no sign of her.
I assumed she had forgotten and sent one last message: “Sending love—let me know you’re okay.” Then I started my walk alone.
As I walked, I noticed a familiar swirl of thoughts.
I tried to be on time. Why didn’t she respond?
Then came the self-judgment:
Why am I annoyed? I should be more patient… more understanding.
There I was—in the quicksand of thinking.